Wichita, Kansas — The Greater Wichita YMCA today announced the opening of the Wichita Collective Impact initiative’s summer 2024 grant cycle. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations can apply now through noon on February 2, 2024 at wichitacollectiveimpact.org. Proposals are being accepted for educational programming targeting students residing in or around the 67214 zip code who are entering kindergarten, first, second or third grade in fall 2024.
Investments of up to $25,000 will be awarded to organizations whose objectives align with Wichita Public Schools' strategic plans to boost competencies among all students using approved grade-appropriate curriculum and engage parents in literacy activities.
Recipients of summer grants will be announced on February 16; summer programs will take place July through August 2024.
Along with the summer grants, nonprofits also have the opportunity to participate in capacity-building training that focuses on understanding the Wichita Collective Impact vision and mission, grant development and programming. Groups that successfully complete all three training workshops (December 8, 15 and January 5) will receive a $300 stipend.
Both the grants and capacity-building workshops are part of ongoing Wichita Collective Impacts efforts to boost educational success within 67214 neighborhoods – identified as an area where residents are significantly underserved in education and career guidance. The Wichita Collective Impact initiative, funded through a $2 million grant from Cargill Protein North America, was created to make our community a more equitable place to learn, work and succeed. It is jointly led by the Y, United Way of the Plains, the Public Policy & Management Center at Wichita State University and Wichita Public Schools.
To sign up for the workshops or receive additional information, contact LaWanda DeShazer, community impact senior program director at the Y, at lawanda.deshazer@ymcawichita.org or (316) 776-8176.
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ABOUT THE GREATER WICHITA YMCA Since 1885, The Greater Wichita YMCA has been volunteer-led and mission driven and consistently empowered healthy lifestyles, strong families, and positive youth development for all in South Central Kansas. Today, we employ more than 1,400 individuals and serve well over 300,000 of our neighbors in Butler, Harvey, Kingman, Reno and Sedgwick Counties. We support a healthy spirit, mind, and body through community development, education and wellness initiatives, youth and family programs, licensed child care and camp, and physical activity. Our more than 190,000 members and the entire community have access to over one million square feet of fitness space across our 11 area branch locations in Andover, El Dorado, Newton, Hutchinson and Wichita as well as four seasonal, outdoor water parks, two indoor/outdoor sports complexes, Camp Hyde and Camp Hiawatha. Our annual Strong Community Campaign, which funds our free and reduced-cost programs and enables scholarships, grants and income-based member and program pricing for those who qualify, allows us to honor our commitment to serve all, regardless of their ability to pay. Learn more at ymcawichita.org.